Making sustainable living easy in the New Forest National Park

Published Thursday 11 October 2012

By embracing renewable technologies local resident Dan Fish and his wife Jane live in the New Forest National Park virtually carbon free.

From 20-21 October, Dan and eight other property owners across the
New Forest will be opening up their homes as part of the Green Open
Doors weekend. They will be offering first-hand experience and advice on
the best forms of renewable technologies.

To reduce their impact on the environment Dan and Jane have insulated
their 1957 bungalow at Bashley, installed solar panels to heat water,
photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, purchased an electric car
and use a wood burning stove to burn surplus and waste timber.

Dan said: ‘We became interested in changing our lifestyle in the
1970s. We knew something needed to be done and we wanted to show people
how easy and cost efficient it was to live virtually carbon neutral.

‘We started off by growing our own produce to reduce food miles and
lower our carbon footprint. We now produce all our own compost and
generate nearly all our fuel. Our last gas bill was 50 pence and we
generate so much electricity that we sell it back to the grid.

‘The electricity we generate also powers our G-Wiz electric car, last
year it travelled over 5,000 miles – it really is powered by sunlight.’

Andy Brennan, Sustainable Development Officer at the New Forest
National Park Authority, said: ‘Green Open Doors is an opportunity for
home owners to showcase the benefits of green technology. This year we
have a range of properties which are successfully using rainwater
harvesting, biomass boilers, eco-lighting, insulation and ground source
heat pumps.

‘Those who are interested can come along, speak to home owners, see
how the technology works and get first hand feedback and advice.’

Properties are based across the Forest at Ashurst, Bashley, Beaulieu Road, Boldre, Fordingbridge and Lymington.

Dan will be opening up his home in Bashley from 10am-5:30pm on the Saturday and Sunday.

For more information on this free event, property locations and opening timesvisit: http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/greenopendoors.

-ends-

Notes to Photo Editor:

Dan Fish’s home - Woodcutters at Bashley.

Notes to Editor:

If you would like to interview Andy Brennan or Dan Fish either before
or during the event please contact Karen on the details below.

About the New Forest National Park Authority

Protect - Enjoy - Prosper

The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:

Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park - Protect

Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:

Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique
landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle
and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a
spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet
recreation, enjoyment and discovery.